Jan 10, 2008

ATLANTA -- Genarlow Wilson, the Georgia man who spent two years in prison for having consensual sex while a teenager, will attend Morehouse College in Atlanta this spring.

Wilson, who was freed from a Georgia prison last October, will be a part-time student at the 140-year-old predominantly male liberal arts college.

The Tom Joyner Foundation, an educational non-profit founded by the nationally syndicated radio personality, will pay for Wilson's tuition, books, and room and board.

"He's been through so much over the past couple years and I'm glad the Foundation can play a role in helping him shape his future," said Joyner in a release.

"Genarlow Wilson is representative of many of our young black men who must overcome incredible obstacles before finding a place -- like Morehouse -- where they are valued, mentored and given the opportunity to reach their full potential," said Morehouse President Dr. Robert M. Franklin. "We firmly believe that Morehouse is Genarlow's 'house', and that he will grow to embody the tenets of a Morehouse man."

In 2005, Wilson was convicted of aggravated child molestation for having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl at a 2003 New Year's Eve party. Wilson was 17 at the time of the party.

He was sentenced to serve a mandatory 10-year sentence with a sex offender designation.

Wilson spent two years in prison before the Georgia Supreme Court ruled his sentence too harsh and ordered him released last October.

"Yesterday, Genarlow came to my office proudly wearing around his neck his official Morehouse campus ID," said B.J. Bernstein, Wilson's attorney. (Source)

It's really nice to see that this young man intends to fulfill his promise of bettering himself and becoming a productive adult.